Magic the Gathering XX: KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANS!!!

[Duck999]

Ooh! Zendikar. I loved Zendikar. Still do, actually. And Lorwyn. I liked a lot of the tribal stuff, and wished I could keep making tribal decks with new cards. It isn't as easy anymore.

[Snowbluff]

Ooh! Zendikar. I loved Zendikar. Still do, actually. And Lorwyn. I liked a lot of the tribal stuff, and wished I could keep making tribal decks with new cards. It isn't as easy anymore.

I played before Zendikar, but I really didn't start collecting cards until then. I kind of skipped innistrad, and I've been playing a lot more frequently since RtR. We mostly play EDH on campus, but I've tried maintaining a standard deck.

You can try a tribal gods deck in standard. ^^

[Duck999]

I'm sorry, but I don't think tribal gods is a thing. Tribal usually refers to cards that somehow benefit from having other cards of the same race. For example, tribal noncreatures. Also, lords. Some noticeable ones are vampires, elves, goblins, merfolk, and treefolk. A simple search can find all sorts of tribal cards. But gods? Not tribal.

[Mystic Muse]

Tribal generally just means using a deck that is that creature to the exclusion of almost all others. There are some tribal decks that use different ones occasionally, such as Qasali Pridemage in G/W Knights.

I can have a "Tribal Wurms" deck even if there are no wurm lords, or with there being no real synergy between them.

[Snowbluff]

I'm sorry, but I don't think tribal gods is a thing. Tribal usually refers to cards that somehow benefit from having other cards of the same race. For example, tribal noncreatures. Also, lords. Some noticeable ones are vampires, elves, goblins, merfolk, and treefolk. A simple search can find all sorts of tribal cards. But gods? Not tribal.

As an aside, you forgot Eldrazi tribal! Swarm with Eldrazi Spawn!

Tribal generally just means using a deck that is that creature to the exclusion of almost all others. There are some tribal decks that use different ones occasionally, such as Qasali Pridemage in G/W Knights.

I can have a "Tribal Wurms" deck even if there are no wurm lords, or with there being no real synergy between them.

I concur with this... Elesh pwn. o.0

[ChaosOS]

If you want the current standard tribal decks, there's a little support for tribal minotaur and tribal warriors, with tribal goblins being potential just because there's some rather good goblin cards in standard now.

[Mystic Muse]

I concur with this... Elesh pwn. o.0

It's an OC villain of mine for an RP world that never got started.

And yeah, the definition of tribal will vary from person to person. Your definition does make sense for competitive formats however, Duck999, because a deck of creatures with no real synergy will probably get lumped in under a different definition.

[Duck999]

What if you beastmaster ascension'd with 10 eldrazi spawn out. The amazingness of killing your opponent with 0/1s. I love it.

An all god deck, or even a half of the gods deck, probably would not end up very nicely outside of commander. I suppose you could do it with a lot of multicolor, but... I kind of want to try that now.

Edit: Some 'tribal' decks would probably fall under aggro with an awful lot of ____

[Mystic Muse]

What if you beastmaster ascension'd with 10 eldrazi spawn out. The amazingness of killing your opponent with 0/1s. I love it.

An all god deck, or even a half of the gods deck, probably would not end up very nicely outside of commander. I suppose you could do it with a lot of multicolor, but... I kind of want to try that now.

Somebody at my FNM is giving it a shot. I don't expect it to go very well, but hey, this game is for fun anyway.

[Snowbluff]

Eldrazi have a few specific cards, like the one that gives the spawns +2/+1. Shared Animosity and Coat of Arms will give buffs to the spawn as well as the drones and big guys. BMA should be in every green aggro. Too good to be blue. (What am I saying?)

[Ninjaman]

A guy at my local store usually does pretty well with a B/W warriors list.

BMA should be in every green aggro.

No it shouldn't.

[Shadow of the Sun]

Eldrazi have a few specific cards, like the one that gives the spawns +2/+1. Shared Animosity and Coat of Arms will give buffs to the spawn as well as the drones and big guys. BMA should be in every green aggro. Too good to be blue. (What am I saying?)

Beastmaster Ascension in a green-based aggro deck is usually a horrible pick.

It has no direct impact on the board when it comes into play, it's fragile to enchantment removal, and you need a massive swarm of creatures for it to become active quick enough, and in aggro you want to be playing your 3 drops on curve.

That said for a fun token swarm deck, knock yourself out.

[Bucky]

Beastmaster Ascension in a green-based aggro deck is usually a horrible pick.

It has no direct impact on the board when it comes into play, it's fragile to enchantment removal, and you need a massive swarm of creatures for it to become active quick enough, and in aggro you want to be playing your 3 drops on curve.

That said for a fun token swarm deck, knock yourself out.

Beastmaster Ascension
Goblin Assault
Goblinslide
Xenagos, the Reveller
Tempt with Vengance at the top
Maybe splash for Assemble the Legion.

Fill out the curve with mana creatures, burn or your favorite Haste beaters.

[Snowbluff]

Needs an overwhelming stampede or dragon throne on the target of Xenagos.

Beastmaster Ascension in a green-based aggro deck is usually a horrible pick.

It has no direct impact on the board when it comes into play, it's fragile to enchantment removal, and you need a massive swarm of creatures for it to become active quick enough, and in aggro you want to be playing your 3 drops on curve.

That said for a fun token swarm deck, knock yourself out.

Maybe run 2. Wait until you have 7 creatures, including 1/1 mana critters. Put it out. Attack. "Dies to removal" fallacy.

I see what you mean, though. I was speaking from a casual EDH perspective.

[Duck999]

Somebody at my FNM is giving it a shot. I don't expect it to go very well, but hey, this game is for fun anyway.

Which one, gods? That could be very entertaining. I'd try it, but I have no gods. I would also try the eldrazi one, but I have those not too.

[Snowbluff]

Which one, gods? That could be very entertaining. I'd try it, but I have no gods. I would also try the eldrazi one, but I have those not too.

I have some ready for the deck. Mogis, Pharika, Kruphix, Nylea, Phenax, Thassa at least off the top of my head. I'll be able to trade for the Athreos and Keranos. I'm adding a Sisay and a couple other legendaries that are cheap or I own to better procure the gods. I think I'll have fun with it. Optimizing the unoptimized is fun.

[Duck999]

I have some ready for the deck. Mogis, Pharika, Kruphix, Nylea, Phenax, Thassa at least off the top of my head. I'll be able to trade for the Athreos and Keranos. I'm adding a Sisay and a couple other legendaries that are cheap or I own to better procure the gods. I think I'll have fun with it. Optimizing the unoptimized is fun.

Tribal cats! I have seen some nasty cat tribal. Or at least a ton of cats stuffed in one deck. Optimizing stuff that is generally considered bad can be very fun. I just do not spend much money on those kinds of decks because I never really keep them for long.

[sonofzeal]

Any feedback on my Lifegain deck?

[Duck999]

Any feedback on my Lifegain deck?

I play now white outside of commander and limited, but I can say some. Cloudshift, why is it in there? You yourself said it had poor synergy. Replace it. Also, there are better choices than arrest.

[sonofzeal]

I play now white outside of commander and limited, but I can say some. Cloudshift, why is it in there? You yourself said it had poor synergy. Replace it. Also, there are better choices than arrest.

Cloudshift is in there because it can fairly consistently trade up and works beautifully with cards like Lone Missionary, but with the number of auras (and tokens for Pridemade), perhaps I should switch it for another Gods Willing.

As for Arrest, you're right, it lost its place when Hero of Iroas got taken out... I do like having removal and pseudo-removal though. Which would be better do you think, a second Reprisal or a second Angelic Edict?

[Duck999]

If you are planning on having a large pridemate, I would say another reprisal. It is low costing and removes those giant things.

[TechnOkami]

Hey MTG thread, I've got a question for y'alls.

When the Innistrad block re-introduced werewolves with their transformation mechanic, it got me all kinds of happy, because werewolves are my favorite. But as far as making a werewolf deck goes, how strong are they? Does the transformation mechanic tend to be useful, or does it screw you over somehow? Is transforming them actually difficult to do, in the sense that you'll always have an empty hand or something?

Note: I rarely play magic nowadays and don't plan to do anything super cereal. I have an angry goat token deck for crying out loud. And an exalted deck. And a wolf token deck.

[Snowbluff]

I've messed them up pretty bad.

[Duck999]

Hey MTG thread, I've got a question for y'alls.

When the Innistrad block re-introduced werewolves with their transformation mechanic, it got me all kinds of happy, because werewolves are my favorite. But as far as making a werewolf deck goes, how strong are they? Does the transformation mechanic tend to be useful, or does it screw you over somehow? Is transforming them actually difficult to do, in the sense that you'll always have an empty hand or something?

Note: I rarely play magic nowadays and don't plan to do anything super cereal. I have an angry goat token deck for crying out loud. And an exalted deck. And a wolf token deck.

1) Those decks you have sound awfully fun.
2) Werewolves, I once had a deck for them. Not super competitive, but they work. Once you start top decking, you are good. You just go a turn without casting anything, then only cast 1 spell per turn. The problem is your opponents can play instants on your turn to flip the werewolves, and you can't do much responding on your opponents turn if you want them WW side up. There are a few cards that can help with that. All in all, I personally find werewolves fun.

[CantigThimble]

Werewolves are quite good and remarkably reliable considering their theme mechanic. It's often a simple matter to hold onto cards for a turn to get them to transform. (unless of course your opponent drops an instant to prevent this, in which case be happy that it was likely used inefficiently.) This can lead to loss of tempo, especially if your opponent casts multiple spells the next turn. Fortunately full moonmist and immerwolf can make them more reliable. Also, you're in time to get Huntmaster of the Fells for less than a limb! All in all, the times I've seen or used werewolves it's been fun, and that sounds like what you want. Plus, with your goats you can put together your own Predators vs Livestock duel decks! That's an opportunity you just can't pass up.

[TechnOkami]

Thanks for the feedback. This all sounds right down my alley.

Also, death by goats (and a Furystoke Giant) is pretty much the most satisfying way to kill someone. Exalted decks are pretty fun, as making a creature a 7/7 or bigger at the drop of the hat is pretty great, especially with an unblockable creature like a Jhessian Infiltraitor. The wolf token deck is slow to build up, but hoards of wolves.

I lol'd pretty hard at the Hunter vs Livestock matchup, just by the by.

Also, why is Huntmaster of the Fells cheap to buy all of the sudden?

[Duck999]

Another thing about wolves: they work horribly against counterspells. The counterspell counters one wolf, and is the second spell cast, flipping all the wolves that you have out.
Also, make sure you have full moons rise and moonmist. Moonmist might also be useful in your wolf token deck if it is not already there.

Edit: Huntmaster, out of standard, price drops. As far as I know...

[Androgeus]

Another thing about wolves: they work horribly against counterspells. The counterspell counters one wolf, and is the second spell cast, flipping all the wolves that you have out.

Nope. Werewolves transform back when a player cast two spells in a turn, not if two players cast one spell each.

[Mystic Muse]

I pulled a Wooded Foothills and foil Treasure cruise in the same pack.

[Sith_Happens]

Also, why is Huntmaster of the Fells cheap to buy all of the sudden?

Because it was only ever good competitively in Standard and rotated out of Standard thirteen months ago.